SYLLABUS OF LOVE

UNSAID CONNECTION & BARRIERS

Haseena stormed into the classroom, her fury like a thunderstorm that couldn’t be ignored. The revelation of Misri’s betrayal still stung, every word Karishma had said now echoing in her ears. Santu and Cheetah exchanged worried glances as they watched Haseena approach Misri, who sat alone at her desk. Misri looked up, her face pale as she registered the anger in Haseena's eyes.

"Hasu, listen—" Misri tried to speak, but Haseena cut her off sharply, her voice trembling with barely-contained rage.

Haseena's voice was like ice, her voice trembling with anger. "No, you listen, Misri. Hum ne kabhi nai soucha tha tu itna gir jayegi. Tu aur humari best friend? Mazak aur acting bahut achi ki."

Misri's eyes widened in shock. "Hasu aisa kuch nai hai. You are my best friend, but I got scared—"

Haseena's voice rose, disbelief and hurt clear in her tone. "Scared? Haan, bahut zyada daar gayi thi... Itna ki tu ne saara blame hum par daal diya. Aur baat blame ki bhi nai hai, Misri! Tu ne humari dosti ki asli value sabke samne rakh di."

Cheetah and Santu, who had been watching the confrontation silently, could see that things were about to escalate. Cheetah quickly pulled out his phone and dialed Karishma's number, speaking in hushed tones as he explained the situation.

Misri stood up, her hands trembling as she tried to explain. "Mera wo matlab bilkul bhi nai tha Hasu. Please, try to understand—"

But Haseena wasn't interested in understanding, intervened firmly, "There's nothing to understand!" she snapped, her voice cold. "You crossed a line, Misri. Agar tu sirf khud ko bachane ke liye blame hum par daalti na... Hum khushi-khushi accept kar lete. Tujhe ek word bhi nai kehte. In fact, I would have happily gotten suspended. Par tu ne khud ke liye nai, kisi teesre ko bachane ke liye blame hum par daala, jo hume bilkul bhi manzoor nai hai, na bardasht hai. Not for your fucking boyfriend, but for you, I would have. Hum ne nai soucha tu ye karegi. Tu ne humara bharosa hi nai, dosti bhi tod di."

Misri's face crumpled, tears welling up in her eyes. "Hasu, please aisa mat bol... Hum best friends hai itne waqt se—"

Haseena interjected, her voice bitter and laced with pain,"Best Friends?Best Friends don't do what you did. I can't trust you anymore. Jahan trust nai ho, wahan koi rishta nai rakhte, chahe wo jitna bhi gehra aur pyaara ho. We are done. Hope you and Sahil have a better future—after all, his reputation is saved at the cost of our friendship. Aur yeh hum dil se keh rahe hai."

Cheetah glanced at Santu, who looked equally shaken. "Santu, baat badh rahi hai." he murmured.

Santu nodded, her voice firm. "Hume hi rokna padega." She moved forward, finally intervening. "Hasu, calm down. Ab koi explanation mat de usse. Khatam kar, chal yahan se."

Cheetah nodded in agreement. "Santu sahi keh rahi hai. Class ki gossip mat do. End it and keep moving."

Misri's eyes widened in shock. "Santu, tu bhi? Tu bhi mujhse—" she stammered, unable to finish.

"Haan..." Santu cut her off. "Kyuki jitna Hasu shocked aur hurt hai, utna main bhi. Kabhi nai soucha tu yeh karegi. At least hum dono ke saath. Kya pata kal Hasu ki jagah main hoti. I can't risk trusting you."

Cheetah sighed, glancing at Misri, who was now sitting back down, her head in her hands, sobbing quietly. "Tumara rona ab kuch nai badal sakta. Sambhalne ke liye Sahil ko bula lena."

Haseena abruptly turned and left the classroom, the hurt and betrayal bubbling inside her. She was so consumed by her emotions that she didn't even notice Karishma standing near the classroom door, watching the whole exchange. The weight of what had just happened and the sting of betrayal pushed her over the edge. Without thinking, she punched the wall twice, hard. The pain was immediate and sharp, her hand swelling with angry, purple bruises. Karishma, who had witnessed everything from afar, rushed toward her.